Bopasentatla Secondary School, once on the brink of closure, is now the latest beneficiary of Regent Business School’s iLeadLAB initiative, a technology makerspace designed to expand access to practical, future-ready learning.

The ribbon-cutting marked Regent Business School’s third iLeadLAB donation to a secondary school on February 24.

The initiative forms part of a long-term commitment announced during the institution’s 25th anniversary year, pledging one iLeadLAB donation each year for a decade.

When Regent Business School approached the Gauteng Department of Education for recommendations, five deserving schools were shortlisted. A series of visits followed.

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At Bopasentatla, the story behind the statistics proved compelling. Since 2021, enrolment has surged from under 200 learners to more than 1100.

In 2025, the school achieved a 100% matric pass rate, with every learner earning a bachelor’s or diploma pass.

“For us, it was never only about infrastructure,” said the head of community engagement, innovation and student experience at Regent Business School, Hoosen Essof.

“We look for schools where leadership is changing outcomes against the odds. At Bopasentatla, we saw a principal who rebuilt a school through vision and determination.

The iLeadLAB strengthens that momentum and places powerful tools in the hands of learners who might never otherwise access them.”

Valued at approximately R400 000, the iLeadLAB includes a laser cutting machine, 3D printers, virtual reality headsets, a sublimation printer and specialised furniture.

Regent Business School is also providing hands-on training to equip teachers to use the technology confidently, supported by ongoing check-ins to ensure the lab continues to deliver impact.

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Designed as a technology makerspace, the space integrates with multiple subjects, enabling hands-on learning across disciplines.

History learners might create physical artefacts to bring lessons to life, while coding and robotics learners explore practical applications that extend beyond textbooks.

The principal of the school, Takalani Robert Radzuma, believes the timing could not be better. “This donation came when we needed it most,” he said.

“We introduced computer application technology and robotics in recent years, but without advanced tools, there was a gap.

This lab helps us balance the curriculum and prepare learners for a world shaped by artificial intelligence and digital skills.

“For our learners, many of whom have never interacted with this kind of technology, it is a blessing that will keep them relevant and confident,” Radzuma said.

The iLeadLAB model is rooted in a simple idea: access shapes opportunity. Many township learners encounter advanced tools only when they arrive at tertiary institutions, often placing them at an immediate disadvantage.

By introducing emerging technologies earlier, the programme aims to narrow that divide and strengthen university readiness.

The labs are designed as incubation spaces where curiosity can translate into entrepreneurship. Learners are encouraged to experiment, build and imagine how technology can translate into real-world ventures.

As the doors of the iLeadLAB open, the hope is that what begins in one Diepkloof classroom will ripple far beyond it. For the learners stepping inside, the future may feel a little closer and far more tangible.